I'm on well water and I think thats part of the problem. RO system is too expensive.
I have fine particles floating through the water constantly and at the surface of the water. No mater how many cupfuls of the stuff I skim off the surface within minutes the surface is covered in the particles again. Its not the substrate - its even in my bare bottom tanks.
This is mainly a problem in my 10 gallon tanks because I have small 1" fish that like the surface and eat off the surface. I'm sure it must irritate their gills also.
I replace filter floss at the top of the filter boxes daily (AC20s) and the bubble walls/stones keep it floating through the water.
I've seen some US sites that have surface skimmers for around 15$. I hope it wouldn't suck back a fish or two.
Are there any other solutions I haven't thought of?
Thanks. Karrie.
im watching this thread to because I was just coming here to post about a problem as well. I'll start my own thread thought because the stuff on my water surface is not particles. ???
Hey Groan - just saw your post on Arts thread :) When I looked up solutions to this problem I came across a lot of sites that talk of the oily film on the surface. A lot of sites recommended just laying flat a piece of paper towel and it would absorb it. Doesn't work for particles - tried it. Not sure what would cause your oily film though.
Squeeker - reply to your question on arts thread :) I'm sure the particles are from my well water.
It appears in all four of my tanks - 10Gallon bare bottom (50%well/50%distilled), 20G barebottom (50%well/50%distilled), 90 (was a 40 but I just upgraded) glass gem bottom and 10G moon sand(50%well/50%distilled).
I do 50% water changes on the 20 the 40 every week and clean the filters then also. (in discarded tank water). Gravel/bottom thoroughly vacuumed at each water change. I do smaller water changes 10% a week on the 10G's - lots of plants in each.
I don't think its healthy having it all floating through the water but I don't know how to fix it.
Karrie
I made a surface skimer for my aquaclear by taking the elbow tube from a worn out filter and attaching it upside down to the one on my tank in place of the strainer tube.
Basically the tube came out of the filter and down into the tank where I attached a short section of hose that would join the two elbows together. I added another elbow going back up with the strainer tube attached to it. It worked great because the strainertube allowed for the unit to function even through the water level changed a bit.
Oh and when you here a bit sucking noise followed by a hiss of bubbles going through your filter its time to top off the tank ;D
Kennyman - thanks for the idea!!!! I'll attempt this :)
I was in at SuperPet on Innes and they didn't have anything at all along the lines of a skimmer.
Karrie
we have surface skimmers at BA Innes for both Fluval and Eheim canister filters. I believe the Fluval one can also be used for Aquaclear hang on back filters.
Thanks for the heads up Art. I wonder why I didn't see it when I was in the other day. I should have asked for help ???
There is an Aquaclear one as well. SuperPet should have it, I know BA has had it in the past as well.
I'd love to just be able to go to the store and buy it. Thanks guys - I'll keep looking.
I found it online for a reasonable price but I'd love to be able to go to a store and buy one today.
Karrie
Just to let everyone know I picked up two surface skimmers at Big Als on Innes today for I believe around $13 each. This was cheaper than the two online sites that I was going to order from and much less frustrating than trying to build my own. I didn't recall seeing them last time I was in so I'm glad I went back today.
I'm really hoping it helps :)
Thanks for the feedback.
Please let us know how it works out!